Cough-induced paraplegia secondary to spontaneous spinal epidural hematoma: A case report

A spontaneous spinal epidural hematoma (SSEH) is a rare but significant neurological condition with hemorrhage leading to spinal cord damage, causing irreversible deficits. Its etiology is related to coagulopathy, vascular malformation, neoplasms, infections, minor vertebral traumas, and idiopathic causes. This is a case of a 57-year-old female who developed sudden onset paraplegia secondary to an episode of intractable cough, due to the development of spontaneous spinal epidural hematoma. The patient underwent an emergent decompressive laminectomy after a diagnosis of acute spinal epidural hematoma via magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) spine. This case is worth reporting based on the rare and unusual presentation of a serious life-threatening condition.